Men Charged With Weapons Offenses After South Windsor Crash: Police

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — Two Springfield, Mass., men were to be arraigned in court Monday after being charged with multiple gun offenses following a crash in South Windsor Friday.

According to Connecticut State Police, who issued an in-depth release and accident report Monday afternoon, the men charged were:

• Jamal Clark, 22, of Springfield, Mass., was charged with four counts of illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle; four counts of carrying a dangerous weapon; Interfering with a police officer; two counts of criminal possession of a firearm; two counts of possession of a machine gun; two counts of possession of a large-capacity magazine; evading responsibility; and failure to maintain the proper lane.

• Charles M. Brown, 26, of Springfield, Mass., was charged with four counts of illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle; four counts of carrying a dangerous weapon; two counts of criminal possession of a firearm; two counts of possession of a machine gun; and two counts of possession of a large-capacity magazine.

Both Clark and Brown were held on a $1 million bond and were being held pending their arraignment, which was slated for Monday, March 25, at Manchester Superior Court.

Connecticut state police said, at approximately 2:47 p.m., Troop H – Hartford was advised of a collision on Interstate 291 East in the area of Exit 4 in South Windsor.

As Troopers were responding, Troop H dispatch received reports two individuals were observed fleeing from the vehicle.

South Windsor and East Hartford police were notified and responded to assist with the investigation.

Upon arriving at the eastbound Exit 4 off-ramp, troopers observed an unoccupied Dodge Durango at an uncontrolled final rest position in the left lane.

Police said its front wheels were elevated and stuck on a guardrail attenuator.

According to police, a witness remained on the phone with Troop H dispatchers, providing updated information about the activities and location of the two individuals observed fleeing from the vehicle, one of whom was reported to be carrying a bag.

During the investigation, the witness indicated the two individuals appeared to be looking inside of a dumpster at a gas station located near the exit ramp, police said.

Shortly thereafter, Troop H was advised that officers from South Windsor and East Hartford located and detained two males at the gas station.

At the gas station, an East Hartford officer retrieved an "AK-style rifle and a Glock 9mm handgun from inside of the dumpster.

A state police K-9 dog and an East Hartford K-9 were deployed in the areas where Clark and Brown had been observed.

As a result, police said two additional firearms, an M4, 5.56 caliber rifle with a 30-round magazine, and a black Glock .40 caliber handgun with a 24-round magazine were located.

Each of the recovered firearms was secured and processed as evidence in this investigation.

Clark and Brown were placed under arrest and transported to Troop H in Hartford where they were processed and charged, police said.

State police Monday thanked the help of South Windsor and East Hartford law enforcers.

"We thank our law enforcement partners at the South Windsor and East Hartford police departments for their swift response and investigative assistance," state police said in a statement Monday.

"Additionally, we extend our thanks to witnesses whose information led to the recovery of unsecured firearms at the scene, allowing troopers and officers to secure evidence and further protect members of the public in the immediate area."